WHEN one door closes, another one opens.

Josh Drinkwater was looking like having to bide his time in terms of regaining his place in the Warrington Wolves team, with Leon Hayes getting stronger by the week alongside George Williams.

However, the cruel and likely season-ending injury blow suffered by Hayes during Saturday’s loss at Salford Red Devils looks set to thrust the Australian back into The Wire’s creative spine.

Drinkwater has not featured since limping out of the Round Three win over Castleford Tigers and with his way to the team having been blocked upon his recovery, it means he and Williams have started together just once this year in the Round One defeat to Catalans Dragons.

Sam Burgess insists, however, that his return to the side will be “a seamless transition” and also hinted the opportunity to remind people of his abilities has come at a good time, with the half-back among the players coming to the end of their contracts.

“Drinky’s been great – he’s been such a good influence around the place while Leon’s been in the team,” he said.

“He’s been part of helping us prep – he’s out kicking for the guys during warm-ups and has been really connected to the group.

“He’s a brilliant guy to come in – I can’t fault his attitude so for us, it’s a seamless transition.

“For any player out there, they’re in the shop window whenever you play.

“He’s got the chance to show people what he’s got but more importantly for us, show the team what he’s got.

“All those other factors will come into it, but my job is to get him ready to play each season for me.”

Hayes is set to miss around six months of action having suffered a fracture dislocation of his ankle at the Salford Community Stadium in Round Nine.

The 20-year-old is due to have surgery on the injury this week before his long road to recovery begins.

And Burgess says he has been impressed but not surprised by how he has coped with such a devastating blow.

“He's handled it how I expected. He's just got on with it,” he said.

“I've been to see him a couple of times, he's got a beautiful family – his mum is great and his partner Shakira has been great support for him.

“He is not really moving much because he is on one leg so he'll have a bit of time to think about it. He's in for surgery this week which is great, and it's the start of his recovery.

“We'll do everything we can to get him in the best possible shape, we get him around the place as soon as he is up and running.

“He's just a great bloke and I've said it a few times that he is a lovely lad and I really enjoy coaching him.

“Although it's disappointing, he'll find something to put his energy into the next couple of months, especially in his early stages of his rehab.

“But then once he's on his feet and up and about a bit more, he'll get into that rehab programme just like he applied himself in pre-season.”